Our character, health, relationships and almost every aspect of our lives are determined by our habits.  The earlier good habits are formed, the easier it is for us.  But there’s no time like the present to start forming more effective, helpful habits.

Most people believe that the word “habit” describes a repeated negative action, such as biting ones nails, smoking, procrastinating or eating too much.  Bad habits are well known to all of us.  The bad habit of smoking alone sends around 400,000 people to early graves each year, due to smoke-related illnesses, and that’s just in the United States!  That’s how powerful and harmful habits can be.

But what about good habits? They don’t get as much publicity but they can be just as powerful and helpful, bringing success, health and happiness.  Habits can be acquired, so they are a powerful means to produce what we want in our lives.  We can form helpful habits to enhance positive, permanent and automatic personal growth!

So what exactly are habits?

The Random House dictionary defines habit as “An acquired behaviour pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary”.

The important words to notice are acquired; almost involuntary…  This means that a habit is so powerful in our mind that it is really difficult to stop!  Of course this is very bad news for the negative habits, but excellent news for the good, helpful habits.  And, if you think about it, the more positive habits acquired, the less time there is for the negative ones, some of which may disappear, as if by magic.

So a helpful habit will produce positive benefits, actions and attitudes which will help reach our goals in life – automatically!  Habits can be acquired to improve health, lose weight, enrich relationships and have more success in just about all aspects of life.  Research now suggests that habits become permanent and automatic after about 21 repetitions.  Which means that we can be well on the road to changing our life style in just 21 days.

The first important step is to know what we want in our lives.  We must have aims, goals, destinations – or how do we know which direction to work in?  These may change over time – but there must always be a specific goal in mind.  For example, you may wish to be more successful at work, become a film star or famous scientist.  Whatever your dream for your future may be, the important thing is that you visualize yourself in that part.  Like a director of a film set, you now direct yourself to acquiring the habits needed for the part.  Not too many habits at a time – new habits need ACTION on your part in order to acquire them.  Once they become habitual you’ll start to benefit from them and be able to turn your attention to acquiring more new habits to help reach your goal.

Not all habits are equally helpful.  There are some foundational habits which will support all the others – like the visualization and tracking to make sure you keep to your goal.  Then primary habits will specifically target your personal goals (drinking fizzy water instead of soda to lose weight). The support habits will provide support to the primary habits (eat more slowly, noticing the colour/flavour/consistency of the food to enjoy it more).  Many habits have multiple benefits, so a habit which will help your insomnia (read lightly before bedtime) may support a habit to achieve goals regarding success, wisdom and knowledge (read 10 pages each evening).  This means that as you combine positive habits you increase your benefits expotentially.

One important point - it’s easier to acquire a new habit than to change a habit you already have.  This is great news!  Of course we need to WORK at acquiring the new habits – but only for a relatively short time, since they’ll become almost automatic after 21 repetitions.  We do it all the time, without noticing.  When you buy a new car, you probably have different switches and controls to get used to.  They soon become "second nature” – yes you’ve acquired the new habits needed to drive your new vehicle – and without too much difficulty.  Knowing that the acquisition of new habits is easy gives you an advantage point to grow from.  You know you can do it if you stick to your original idea and goals.

BEWARE of the old habits gnawing their way back.  Especially in moments of stress, the really well-instated habits tend to be stronger than the new ones.  Parents take note and try to help your children form good, healthy eating and fitness habits whilst they are young.  They’ll be grateful for life!